9 in 10 young Muslims believe their job should give them time off for Eid
Eid-al-Fitr is a special occasion for Muslims across the globe, and often for working Muslims in the UK, navigating the festive day with work commitments can be tricky.
In a poll commissioned by Hyphen Online, 87% of the Gen Z Muslims polled (1,002 British Muslims aged 16-24) believe employers should offer leave to observe the festival of Eid. Muslim women were more likely to respond that employers should offer time off to observe Eid than Muslim men.
Hyphen’s poll showed non-Muslim Gen Z representatives were sympathetic to the needs of their Muslim peers: over half polled believe Muslims are not accurately and represented by the British media and 62% of the national representative believe that employers should offer leave to those observing Eid.
The largely positive attitudes of the national representative demonstrate a growing acceptance of faith needs in the workplace, a welcome indicator of developing social integration in the UK.
A quick search of ‘Ramadan’ on LinkedIn brings up endless posts and success stories detailing initiatives taken by Muslims, especially young Muslims, to create a more accommodating and supportive environment in UK educational establishments and workplaces. Amongst these are articles detailing companies’ best practices to support Muslim workers during Ramadan. From employee iftars to the opening of prayer facilities and faith rooms, workplaces are making concerted efforts to align their core values with the faith requirements of their Muslim employees.
The rise in inclusive spaces for Muslims comes as Generation M’s (Muslim millennials) legacy of working towards fulfilling a faithful and modern life. Generation Z Muslims share the same passion to express, practice and enjoy their faith without compromising their social and work lives.
Hyphen’s poll tells us just that.
British Gen Z Muslims are keen to succeed and are taking large steps to establish their voices in the workplace, in education, through social media and via political and social activism.
With so much potential to create a brighter future - including company time off for Eid! - we look forward to what British Gen Z Muslims grow up to be in the coming years.